7

What is Environmental Ethics?

Learning ObjectivesTo be able to:-• Present presentations and discuss one current environmental issue• Explore key words for environmental ethics

Key Words Anthropocentric – An approach to the environment

that places human interests above those of any other species.

Biocentric – An approach to the environment

that considers the biological nature and diversity of the Earth to be of supreme importance.

Biodiversity – The natural variety of living

things on earth. Conservation Ethics – The ethics of the use, allocation,

protection and exploitation of the natural world

Deep Ecology – All life forms as of value and

human life as just one part of the biosphere. It rejects anthropomorphism.

Dominion – The Judaeo-Christian idea that

humans have a special place in the natural world and have responsibility for it.

Ecosophy – Word formed by contracting the

phrase ‘ecological philosophy’. Refers to philosophies which have an ecocentric or biocentric perspective such as deep ecology.

Gaia Hypothesis – A theory of James Lovelock Geocentric – Considers the geological

nature and diversity of the Earth to be most important.

Holistic – Considers a range of

factors – including the importance of balance within the ecosystem.

Instrumental value – Something’s value lies in

its usefulness for others.

Intrinsic value – Something’s value lies in

itself. Sentience – The ability to feel pleasure

or pain. Shallow Ecology – The earth is cared for to

make conditions better for humans.

Stewardship – A way of interpreting the

use of dominion, which sees humans as caretakers of the natural world.

Homework

Create cue cards/spider diagram/ post-it notes etc for all your key words.

Library

You have 10 minutes in the library to finish your presentations

If you have finished you can go back to H14 to practice

I will be recording your presentations

Presentations

So What Are Environmental Ethics?

The relationship between people and the natural world and the kind of decisions we make about

Cutting down trees Pollution and manufacturing cars

that do not pollute the environment

Should we protect species? What are our obligations to the

future generation?

What are the common issues?

Global warming Increasing Technology

So how do we decide what to do? There is no international code

So how should we relate to earth’s resources, species, plants?

What are the different approaches?

Religious

Different secular approaches – 1. Libertarian Extension2. Ecological Extension (Eco-

holism)3. Conservative Ethics (shallow

ecology)

Homework Read up on different approaches to

environmental ethics.

Religious Different secular approaches – 1. Libertarian Extension2. Ecological Extension (Eco-holism)3. Conservative Ethics (shallow ecology)

(See Vardy chapter 18 –p 222-226, OCR Religious ethics p228 – 232 and Wright p 257-273)

How do ethical theories respond to the environment?